Cuomo orders safety upgrades for NYC trains

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) – New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has told New York City transit officials to adopt several safety changes following the deadly derailment of a commuter train.

Cuomo directed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Friday to expedite speed controls for areas vulnerable to crashes on the Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road commuter systems.

Cuomo also wants to accelerate efforts to install technology called “positive train control,” which can automatically bring a train to a stop if it’s exceeding a speed limit.

Cuomo says federal investigators have made it clear that the actions of the engineer, William Rockefeller, were the “initiating cause” of Sunday’s accident and that the train’s speed, estimated at 82 mph on a 30-mph curve, was a key factor.

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